January 1976

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Features

The Necessity of Fission Power

If the U.S. must have sources of energy other than fossil fuels, the only source that can make a major contribution between now and the end of the century is nuclear fission

By H. A. Bethe

The Volcanoes of Mars

They apparently formed over the entire span of the planet's history. Their remarkable size may be related to the fact that the crust of Mars is not divided into moving plates

By Michael H. Carr

The Search for New Families of Elementary Particles

At least one particle that fits none of the established families has emerged from experiments with high-energy neutrinos. The new particle must exhibit some hitherto unobserved property of matter

By David B. Cline, Alfred K. Mann and Carlo Rubbia

A DNA Operator-Repressor System

An operator is a segment of DNA adjacent to a gene; a repressor is a protein that binds to the operator and controls the expression of the gene. How such a system works in a virus is explored in detail

By Tom Maniatis and Mark Ptashne

Stomatopods

These shrimplike creatures are formidable predators. Two of their forward appendages are adapted either for spearing or for smashing. One blow from a smasher can break the shell of a good-sized clam

By Roy L. Caldwell and Hugh Dingle

Paleoneurology and the Evolution of Mind

Tracing changes in the relation between brain size and body size in various groups of fossil and contemporary animals sheds light not only on the evolution but also on the nature of intelligence

By Harry J. Jerison

Mirages

There are several types of apparition to be seen across the sea or the land. Each has an explanation in terms of the optical properties of a fluid medium: the atmosphere

By Alistair B. Fraser and William H. Mach

Immunization against Smallpox before Jenner

Long before he introduced inoculation with cowpox, smallpox was prevented by inoculation with smallpox itself. The procedure was risky, but its spread in the 18th century set the stage for Jenner

By William L. Langer

Departments

50 and 100 Years Ago, January 1976

Science and the Citizen, January 1976

Letters

Letters to the Editors, January 1976

Recommended

Books, January 1976

Mathematical Recreation

Mathematical Games, January 1976

Amateur Scientist

The Amateur Scientist, January 1976

Departments

The Authors, January 1976

Bibliography, January 1976

Purchase To Read More

Digital Issue ?Read or download this issue’s articles online. *A printed copy of this issue is not included. $7.99

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